Which type of damages compensates for minor breaches of contract generally not resulting in significant loss?

Nominal damages are designed to acknowledge a breach of contract that occurs without causing any significant loss or harm to the non-breaching party. These damages are usually a small monetary amount, often just a token sum, awarded when a breach is established but no real financial loss is proven. The purpose of nominal damages is to uphold the idea that a breach of contract has occurred, even when the non-breaching party has not suffered substantial damages.

In contrast, compensatory damages are awarded to cover actual losses incurred due to the breach, while punitive damages are intended to punish the breaching party for particularly egregious behavior and to deter similar conduct in the future. Consequential damages are those losses that occur as a result of the breach but extend beyond the immediate financial loss, often requiring a clear connection to the breach. Therefore, for minor breaches that do not result in significant losses, nominal damages are the appropriate form of compensation.